EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Surveillance Australia is in discussions with unmanned air vehicle manufacturers as it prepares its bid to retain the country's civil maritime surveillance contract, which it has held since 1994.
The talks follow the company's recent exclusive agreement with Canadian satellite imagery provider Radarsat International.
"We are looking at every technology available," says Philip Smart, marketing manager at Surveillance Australia parent National Air Support. "We are talking about UAVs and we are talking to manufacturers."
Industry sources have linked the company to General Atomics and its Predator B UAV, though Smart says no deal with any specific manufacturer has been done. Aerosonde, EADS, Israel Aircraft Industries and Northrop Grumman have registered interest in the A$70 million ($46 million) a year programme. Surveillance Australia's existing contract is due to expire in June 2004.
Although the contract was originally based on providing aircraft, Surveillance Australia has adopted new technology to become a total surveillance provider, says Smart. This includes upgrading its Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops with an Inmarsat-based, high-speed communication system capable of transmitting real-time video, still images, voice and data.
The company's deal with Radarsat will provide it with data from the radar satellite when it passes over Australia's east and west coasts four times a day. Satellite data processing specialist Apogee Imaging International will manage the ground segment, with data transmitted to Adelaide, where it will be processed and relayed to the Coastwatch National Surveillance Centre in Canberra.
The deal with Surveillance Australia is a blow to other potential bidders which had been courting Radarsat, including Raytheon and Tenix. Raytheon is playing down its significance, however, saying Radarsat is not a unique capability.
A draft request for tenders is due to be issued soon, followed by a formal request for tenders in the fourth quarter and contractor selection early next year.
Source: Flight International
